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California American Water Partners with United Way to Offer Financial Assistance Program

Dateline City:

MONTEREY, Calif.

MONTEREY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recognizing that no one should go without the essential service of safe,
reliable water, California American Water has launched a new hardship
assistance program to provide relief for its most financially burdened
customers. The Cal Am funded program covers the outstanding balance of
qualified customers who are currently in arrears with their water bill
or in receipt of a 3-day notice of water shut-off. Eligible customers
are referred and vetted through United Way Monterey County, a local
nonprofit with extensive experience helping low-income families achieve
financial stability. The initiative was inspired by similar programs
offered by a handful of other utilities in the state and seeks to lend a
helping hand to customers who have fallen on hard times.

Customer eligibility for the Hardship Benefit Program is determined by
United Way Monterey County (UWMC). If the applicant is approved, UWMC
provides a payment to Cal Am on the customer’s behalf to provide relief
toward the outstanding bill. The program is funded through a $50,000
grant from California American Water and provides financially strapped
customers help they could not receive elsewhere. A portion of the grant
will be used for UWMC system changes required to implement the program.

“We understand that sometimes customers face extraordinary circumstances
and challenges that make it difficult to meet their monthly expenses and
want to provide a helping hand,” said California American Water Director
of Operations for the Monterey district, Eric Sabolsice. “We’ve had a
long-standing relationship with United Way and are very pleased to work
with such a qualified, reputable organization to implement this program.”

“United Way is pleased to be a part of this innovative service to local
people who are in financial crisis,” said Katy Castagna, President and
CEO of United Way Monterey County. “Our 2-1-1 Call Specialists can
deliver timely relief to people who qualify.”

Cal Am is offering the pilot Hardship Benefit Program in addition to its
longstanding Low-Income Assistance Program, which provides qualifying
customers with a monthly discount on their water bill. Financially
distressed customers can also work with Cal Am’s customer service center
to establish payment plans if the customer cannot pay the full balance
of their water bill. Customers already enrolled in the Low-Income
Assistance Program may apply for additional support through the Hardship
Benefit Program, but the customers do not necessarily have to be
low-income to qualify, as the Program seeks to accommodate customers
that may be experiencing temporary financial hardship.

Water customers who are interested in seeking assistance from the
Hardship Benefit Program should call California American Water’s
customer service center at 1-888-237-1333. Cal Am’s call handlers will
refer customers to the program who require additional assistance beyond
payment arrangements and enrollment in the company’s existing low-income
program.

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK),
provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to
more than 660,000 people. With a history dating back to 1886, American
Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S.
publicly-traded water and wastewater utility company. The company
employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated
and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services
to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More
information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.